used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A Narrow Escape Mr. Milford was stretched out in a hammock on the front porch of the bungalow when the children came back from the dunes with their empty basket.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading They could not see him as they climbed up the terrace, the porch being high above them and draped with vines; and he deep in a new book was only vaguely conscious of approaching voices.
giving or marked by complete attention to
From this reading Their shrill, eager tones would have attracted the attention of anyone less absorbed than Mr. Milford.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They could not see him as they climbed up the terrace, the porch being high above them and draped with vines; and he deep in a new book was only vaguely conscious of approaching voices.
any person at all
From this reading Their shrill, eager tones would have attracted the attention of anyone less absorbed than Mr. Milford.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading They could not see him as they climbed up the terrace, the porch being high above them and draped with vines; and he deep in a new book was only vaguely conscious of approaching voices.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They could not see him as they climbed up the terrace, the porch being high above them and draped with vines; and he deep in a new book was only vaguely conscious of approaching voices.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading Their shrill, eager tones would have attracted the attention of anyone less absorbed than Mr. Milford.
past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
From this reading Their shrill, eager tones would have attracted the attention of anyone less absorbed than Mr. Milford.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading A Narrow Escape Mr. Milford was stretched out in a hammock on the front porch of the bungalow when the children came back from the dunes with their empty basket.
a container that is usually woven and has handles
From this reading A Narrow Escape Mr. Milford was stretched out in a hammock on the front porch of the bungalow when the children came back from the dunes with their empty basket.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading They were discussing the "Rescues of Rosalind," the play they had seen the night before on the films.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading They could not see him as they climbed up the terrace, the porch being high above them and draped with vines; and he deep in a new book was only vaguely conscious of approaching voices.
maintain with or as if with a bet
From this reading "I'll bet you couldn't," Georgina was saying.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading They could not see him as they climbed up the terrace, the porch being high above them and draped with vines; and he deep in a new book was only vaguely conscious of approaching voices.
bungalownounUS /ˈbʌŋɡəloʊ/
a small house with a single story
From this reading A Narrow Escape Mr. Milford was stretched out in a hammock on the front porch of the bungalow when the children came back from the dunes with their empty basket.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A Narrow Escape Mr. Milford was stretched out in a hammock on the front porch of the bungalow when the children came back from the dunes with their empty basket.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading A Narrow Escape Mr. Milford was stretched out in a hammock on the front porch of the bungalow when the children came back from the dunes with their empty basket.
past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading They could not see him as they climbed up the terrace, the porch being high above them and draped with vines; and he deep in a new book was only vaguely conscious of approaching voices.
intentionally conceived
From this reading They could not see him as they climbed up the terrace, the porch being high above them and draped with vines; and he deep in a new book was only vaguely conscious of approaching voices.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading They could not see him as they climbed up the terrace, the porch being high above them and draped with vines; and he deep in a new book was only vaguely conscious of approaching voices.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'll bet you couldn't," Georgina was saying.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading They could not see him as they climbed up the terrace, the porch being high above them and draped with vines; and he deep in a new book was only vaguely conscious of approaching voices.
discussingverbUS /dɪˈskʌsɪŋ/
-ing form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading They were discussing the "Rescues of Rosalind," the play they had seen the night before on the films.
drapedadjectiveUS /dreɪpt/
covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak
From this reading They could not see him as they climbed up the terrace, the porch being high above them and draped with vines; and he deep in a new book was only vaguely conscious of approaching voices.
dunesnounUS /duːnz/
plural of “dune” — a ridge of sand created by the wind; found in deserts or near lakes and oceans
From this reading A Narrow Escape Mr. Milford was stretched out in a hammock on the front porch of the bungalow when the children came back from the dunes with their empty basket.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading Their shrill, eager tones would have attracted the attention of anyone less absorbed than Mr. Milford.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading A Narrow Escape Mr. Milford was stretched out in a hammock on the front porch of the bungalow when the children came back from the dunes with their empty basket.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading A Narrow Escape Mr. Milford was stretched out in a hammock on the front porch of the bungalow when the children came back from the dunes with their empty basket.
filmsnounUS /fɪlmz/
plural of “film” — a form of entertainment that enacts a story by sound and a sequence of images giving the illusion of continuous movement
From this reading They were discussing the "Rescues of Rosalind," the play they had seen the night before on the films.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A Narrow Escape Mr. Milford was stretched out in a hammock on the front porch of the bungalow when the children came back from the dunes with their empty basket.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading A Narrow Escape Mr. Milford was stretched out in a hammock on the front porch of the bungalow when the children came back from the dunes with their empty basket.
Georgina
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'll bet you couldn't," Georgina was saying.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They were discussing the "Rescues of Rosalind," the play they had seen the night before on the films.
hammocknounUS /ˈhæmək/
a small natural hill
From this reading A Narrow Escape Mr. Milford was stretched out in a hammock on the front porch of the bungalow when the children came back from the dunes with their empty basket.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Their shrill, eager tones would have attracted the attention of anyone less absorbed than Mr. Milford.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They could not see him as they climbed up the terrace, the porch being high above them and draped with vines; and he deep in a new book was only vaguely conscious of approaching voices.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading They could not see him as they climbed up the terrace, the porch being high above them and draped with vines; and he deep in a new book was only vaguely conscious of approaching voices.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading They could not see him as they climbed up the terrace, the porch being high above them and draped with vines; and he deep in a new book was only vaguely conscious of approaching voices.
I'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'll bet you couldn't," Georgina was saying.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A Narrow Escape Mr. Milford was stretched out in a hammock on the front porch of the bungalow when the children came back from the dunes with their empty basket.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Their shrill, eager tones would have attracted the attention of anyone less absorbed than Mr. Milford.
Milford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Narrow Escape Mr. Milford was stretched out in a hammock on the front porch of the bungalow when the children came back from the dunes with their empty basket.
a form of address for a man
From this reading A Narrow Escape Mr. Milford was stretched out in a hammock on the front porch of the bungalow when the children came back from the dunes with their empty basket.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading A Narrow Escape Mr. Milford was stretched out in a hammock on the front porch of the bungalow when the children came back from the dunes with their empty basket.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading They could not see him as they climbed up the terrace, the porch being high above them and draped with vines; and he deep in a new book was only vaguely conscious of approaching voices.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading They were discussing the "Rescues of Rosalind," the play they had seen the night before on the films.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They could not see him as they climbed up the terrace, the porch being high above them and draped with vines; and he deep in a new book was only vaguely conscious of approaching voices.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A Narrow Escape Mr. Milford was stretched out in a hammock on the front porch of the bungalow when the children came back from the dunes with their empty basket.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A Narrow Escape Mr. Milford was stretched out in a hammock on the front porch of the bungalow when the children came back from the dunes with their empty basket.
and nothing more
From this reading They could not see him as they climbed up the terrace, the porch being high above them and draped with vines; and he deep in a new book was only vaguely conscious of approaching voices.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading A Narrow Escape Mr. Milford was stretched out in a hammock on the front porch of the bungalow when the children came back from the dunes with their empty basket.
participate in games or sport
From this reading They were discussing the "Rescues of Rosalind," the play they had seen the night before on the films.
porchnounUS /pɔːrtʃ/
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading A Narrow Escape Mr. Milford was stretched out in a hammock on the front porch of the bungalow when the children came back from the dunes with their empty basket.
RescuesnounUS /ˈreskjuːz/
plural of “rescue” — recovery or preservation from loss or danger
From this reading They were discussing the "Rescues of Rosalind," the play they had seen the night before on the films.
Rosalind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were discussing the "Rescues of Rosalind," the play they had seen the night before on the films.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading "I'll bet you couldn't," Georgina was saying.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading They could not see him as they climbed up the terrace, the porch being high above them and draped with vines; and he deep in a new book was only vaguely conscious of approaching voices.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading They were discussing the "Rescues of Rosalind," the play they had seen the night before on the films.
shrilladjectiveUS /ʃrɪl/
having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones
From this reading Their shrill, eager tones would have attracted the attention of anyone less absorbed than Mr. Milford.
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading A Narrow Escape Mr. Milford was stretched out in a hammock on the front porch of the bungalow when the children came back from the dunes with their empty basket.
terracenounUS /ˈterəs/
usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence
From this reading They could not see him as they climbed up the terrace, the porch being high above them and draped with vines; and he deep in a new book was only vaguely conscious of approaching voices.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Their shrill, eager tones would have attracted the attention of anyone less absorbed than Mr. Milford.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A Narrow Escape Mr. Milford was stretched out in a hammock on the front porch of the bungalow when the children came back from the dunes with their empty basket.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A Narrow Escape Mr. Milford was stretched out in a hammock on the front porch of the bungalow when the children came back from the dunes with their empty basket.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They could not see him as they climbed up the terrace, the porch being high above them and draped with vines; and he deep in a new book was only vaguely conscious of approaching voices.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They could not see him as they climbed up the terrace, the porch being high above them and draped with vines; and he deep in a new book was only vaguely conscious of approaching voices.
plural of “tone” — the quality of a person's voice
From this reading Their shrill, eager tones would have attracted the attention of anyone less absorbed than Mr. Milford.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading They could not see him as they climbed up the terrace, the porch being high above them and draped with vines; and he deep in a new book was only vaguely conscious of approaching voices.
vaguelyadverbUS /ˈveɪɡli/
in a vague way
From this reading They could not see him as they climbed up the terrace, the porch being high above them and draped with vines; and he deep in a new book was only vaguely conscious of approaching voices.
vinesnounUS /vaɪnz/
plural of “vine” — a plant with a weak stem that derives support from climbing, twining, or creeping along a surface
From this reading They could not see him as they climbed up the terrace, the porch being high above them and draped with vines; and he deep in a new book was only vaguely conscious of approaching voices.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading They could not see him as they climbed up the terrace, the porch being high above them and draped with vines; and he deep in a new book was only vaguely conscious of approaching voices.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A Narrow Escape Mr. Milford was stretched out in a hammock on the front porch of the bungalow when the children came back from the dunes with their empty basket.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were discussing the "Rescues of Rosalind," the play they had seen the night before on the films.
at the time that
From this reading A Narrow Escape Mr. Milford was stretched out in a hammock on the front porch of the bungalow when the children came back from the dunes with their empty basket.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A Narrow Escape Mr. Milford was stretched out in a hammock on the front porch of the bungalow when the children came back from the dunes with their empty basket.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Their shrill, eager tones would have attracted the attention of anyone less absorbed than Mr. Milford.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I'll bet you couldn't," Georgina was saying.
